Synonyms of calm

calm 1 of 3

adjective

1

as in quiet

free from storms or physical disturbance

after a stormy night of high winds and driving rains, the day dawned on a calm sea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quiet
• tranquil
• serene
• peaceful
• placid
• hushed
• still
• untroubled
• sunny
• gentle
• halcyon
• clear
• mild
• temperate
• lown
• equable
• moderate
• stilly
• balmy
• clement
• windless
• cloudless
• sunshiny
• rainless
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• angry
• turbulent
• restless
• agitated
• stormy
• unsettled
• rough
• tempestuous
• unquiet
• inclement
• windy
• extreme
• blustery
• severe
• intemperate
• foul
• nasty
• squally
• blizzardy

2

as in serene

free from emotional or mental agitation

bystanders tried to help the injured person remain calm while they waited for the ambulance to arrive

Synonyms & Similar Words

• serene
• peaceful
• composed
• tranquil
• collected
• placid
• smooth
• unruffled
• undisturbed
• possessed
• unperturbed
• steady
• confident
• sedate
• cool
• at peace
• untroubled
• unshaken
• unworried
• limpid
• relaxed
• centered
• level
• mellow
• recollected
• together
• self-possessed
• relieved
• equal
• nonchalant
• coolheaded
• self-composed
• imperturbable
• unflappable
• detached
• well-balanced
• equable
• unshakable
• easygoing
• even-keeled
• carefree
• sober
• aloof
• dispassionate
• disciplined
• affable
• tranquilized
• unconcerned
• breezy
• phlegmatic
• assured
• nerveless
• well-adjusted
• even
• laid-back
• impassive
• self-controlled
• indifferent
• stolid
• self-assured
• self-contained
• happy-go-lucky
• bovine
• loosey-goosey
• devil-may-care

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disturbed
• upset
• agitated
• anxious
• perturbed
• nervous
• uneasy
• unsettled
• distressed
• unstrung
• bothered
• worried
• unquiet
• restless
• flustered
• tense
• jittery
• unhinged
• jumpy
• unglued
• discomposed
• unstable
• skittish
• uptight
• high-strung

3

as in peaceful

free from disturbing noise or uproar

the room became much calmer once the rowdy tour group had left

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quiet
• peaceful
• serene
• placid
• restful
• tranquil
• quieted
• hushed
• silent
• still
• arcadian
• stilly
• noiseless
• soft
• mute
• motionless
• gentle
• soundless
• quiescent
• speechless
• wordless
• muted
• muffled
• dull
• dead
• low
• ultraquiet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• loud
• boisterous
• noisy
• tumultuous
• raucous
• rowdy
• unquiet
• clamorous
• deafening
• woolly
• uproarious
• wild
• crazy
• roistering
• tempestuous
• romping
• clattery
• rip-roaring
• thunderous
• booming
• roaring
• piercing
• thundering
• earsplitting
• blasting
• blaring

calm

2 of 3

noun

ˈkäm 

1

as in restfulness

a state of freedom from storm or disturbance

vacationing city dwellers who are tired of the hustle and bustle enjoy the calm of the secluded mountain village

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restfulness
• serenity
• quiet
• sereneness
• quietness
• calmness
• still
• quietude
• tranquility
• peace
• silence
• hush
• peacefulness
• stillness
• placidity
• lull
• repose
• respite
• pause
• harmony
• concord
• comity
• informality
• mildness
• casualness
• soothingness
• relaxedness
• easygoingness
• laid-backness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• commotion
• turmoil
• unrest
• bustle
• tumult
• pandemonium
• hubbub
• uproar
• noise
• hurly-burly
• unquietness
• clamor
• din
• racket

2

as in peace

freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

the batter always exudes an aura of calm, even in clutch situations

Synonyms & Similar Words

• peace
• peacefulness
• serenity
• ease
• calmness
• sereneness
• tranquility
• placidity
• heartsease
• contentment
• comfort
• quiet
• relief
• content
• solace
• consolation
• quietude
• repose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anxiety
• agitation
• alarm
• apprehension
• anguish
• uneasiness
• concern
• worry
• stress
• care
• tension
• perturbation
• vexation
• strain
• disturbance
• anxiousness
• distress
• nervousness
• discomfort
• fear
• apprehensiveness
• desperation
• upset
• distraction
• tenseness
• dismay
• consternation
• uncertainty
• torment
• doubt
• suspense
• jitters
• foreboding
• dread
• discomposure
• desperateness
• jumpiness
• edginess
• fearfulness
• misgiving
• incertitude
• presentiment

calm

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to soothe

to free from distress or disturbance

the president's reassuring words did much to calm the public during the national emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soothe
• lull
• quiet
• compose
• appease
• relax
• still
• settle
• quieten
• salve
• relieve
• tranquilize
• hush
• becalm
• lullaby
• quell
• pacify
• placate
• ease
• mollify
• conciliate
• alleviate
• allay
• mitigate
• sedate
• solace
• assuage
• lay
• narcotize
• stupefy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upset
• disturb
• perturb
• agitate
• intensify
• vex
• heighten
• aggravate
• disquiet
• arouse
• stir (up)
• key (up)
• discompose
• rouse
• excite
• incite
• foment
• work up

2

as in to contain

to gain emotional or mental control of

he calmed himself before continuing the eulogy

Synonyms & Similar Words

• contain
• compose
• control
• restrain
• collect
• settle
• re-collect
• quiet
• soothe
• hold back
• recover
• lull
• rally
• tranquilize
• still

Synonym Chooser

How is the word calm different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of calm are peaceful, placid, serene, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

When is peaceful a more appropriate choice than calm?

In some situations, the words peaceful and calm are roughly equivalent. However, peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When might placid be a better fit than calm?

The words placid and calm can be used in similar contexts, but placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When would serene be a good substitute for calm?

Although the words serene and calm have much in common, serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When can tranquil be used instead of calm?

The synonyms tranquil and calm are sometimes interchangeable, but tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of calm

Adjective

With a modest 10% concentration of vitamin C, this serum is easy for sensitive, breakout-prone skin to tolerate, while vitamin B5 helps calm redness and irritation for smoother, more even-looking skin. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 24 Jan. 2026

Longtime pundit Charles Barkley spoke on ESPN’s tipoff show and called for calm. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

Noun

Meanwhile, the interim government has urged calm and unity while signaling tentative engagement with Washington, including exploratory diplomatic contacts and discussions about reopening embassies. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2026

Next to the hilarity of Liu and the wisdom of Glenn, Levito settles comfortably as their contrast, the youngster in their sisterhood, the calm next to their storm. —Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

Verb

That includes outdoor spaces and natural light, and calming colors such as blues and greens inside with areas for quiet time. —Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 22 Jan. 2026

The combination helps renew the body, while the calming scent (a blend of essential oils, like lavender, eucalyptus, and clary sage) tends to the mind, elevating the mundane bathing experience into a spa-like treatment. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 19 Jan. 2026

Phrases Containing calm

• calm (down)